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Challenges facing principals in managing the teaching of agricultural sciences in the FET band
Get PDFA dissertation submitted to the Faculty Of Education in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree Of Master Of Education in the Department Of Foundations of Education at the University Of Zululand, 2018Principals are facing challenges in managing the teaching of Agricultural Sciences in the FET band, and this leads to some schools phasing out Agricultural Sciences. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors contributing to challenges principals experience in managing the teaching Agricultural Sciences in the FET band. The study adopted mixed methods approach and used quantitative and qualitative methods. Questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data and were completed by forty teachers. An interview schedule was employed to collect qualitative data, and ten principals were interviewed. Simple random sampling was used to select participants for quantitative data and purposive sampling was employed in the selection of participants for qualitative data. Quantitative data was analyzed through the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 24 while qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The study revealed that principals lack managerial skills in the teaching of Agricultural Sciences. It was recommended that principals should be capacitated in managerial skills of teaching the subject, and this should be a continuous process because of the constant curriculum changes.National Research Foundation of South Africa (Grant Number:CPT160513164973 and 105246
Exploring foundation phase learners’ understanding of a healthy environment through conceptual change and collateral learning strategies
Get PDFA dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Education in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor Of Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instructional Studies at the University Of Zululand, 2018This study was carried out in the King Cetshwayo District of the Province of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Four schools offering Foundation Phase education were randomly selected for the study from the accessible population. Altogether, a total of three hundred and twenty-eight learners participated in the study from Nseleni, Richards Bay and eSikhaleni education circuits.
This study aimed to contribute to our understanding of how Foundation Phase (Elementary School) learners conceptualised a healthy environment, and whether or not instruction based on the classical cognitive conflict conceptual change model would differ from an approach based on collateral learning theory in educating grade three learners about a healthy environment. Specifically, the study set out to answer three research questions, namely: (a) What conceptions do grade three learners have of the construct of a healthy environment? (b) What explanations lie behind the learners’ conceptions of a healthy environment? and (c) Will there be a statistically significant difference in learner achievement between those taught through a cognitive conflict-based conceptual change approach versus those taught through an instructional approach based on the collateral learning theory? The theoretical basis of this study was built upon literature which pointed to the imminent threat to Planet Earth, seen against the devastating effects of human actions in the name of civilisation. Accordingly, elements from the cognitive conflict-based perspective of conceptual change and the collateral learning theory were integrated with Vygotsky’s theory of the Zone of Proximal Development to consummate a conceptual framework for the study. In the view of the researcher, the conceptualisation and development of the conceptual framework of this study was one of her significant outputs. The research methodology was situated within the mixed methods research paradigm, meaning that both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. As a mixed methods research project, there were two designs applied. The first was a Case Study design, formulated to address the first two research questions, and utilising a test and interviews. The second research design was the Non-Equivalent Groups quasi-experimental research design, which was directed towards addressing the third research question. Simple random sampling was used to select the four participating schools from the education Circuits that participated in this study. Data were collected through individually-based and focus group interviews, as well as a pre-test, which also served as a post-test. The interviews were used to explore the grade three learners’ understanding of a healthy environment and elicit explanations about their answers in the hope of revealing the underlying reasoning for their answers concerning a healthy environment. Permission was requested and obtained to have all the interviews voice-recorded so that the interviewers could focus on the conversations with the learners rather than, for instance, on note-taking. The test was used to establish the baseline knowledge that the learners had about a healthy environment, as well as estimate their gains following the two interventions. The written test was administered in the usual way as class tests.
Qualitative data arising from individual and focus group interviews were analysed based on the hermeneutical approach – the first stage of which involved reading through all the transcripts of the learner responses and creating categories of description to identify emerging themes. This entailed finding patterns from which the themes and conceptual categories were constructed. In a reiterative process, the recurring themes and conceptual categories were progressively reduced in number by combining conceptually similar ones, resulting in a consolidated, fewer numbers of categories of descriptions. Quantitative data were analysed statistically using the Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS). The analysis involved a comparison of the means as a result of the two interventions. In this regard, both the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the t-test statistic were used. On the first research question, the majority of the participants demonstrated a good understanding of the term ‘environment’ in line with the espoused content of the Foundation Phase curriculum. On the definition of pollution, two categories of description emerged – that is, a view of pollution as some form or other of ‘contamination’, and pollution characterised in terms of its consequences or negative effects on the environment, people, animals and plants. On the whole, the learners demonstrated an acceptable level of understanding of the concept of pollution. Furthermore, the results showed that the learners had a good grasp of the concepts of safe drinking water; unsafe drinking water; wasting water; using water wisely; land/soil, air, water and noise pollution, well as the 3R’s of recycling, re-using and reducing. However, some mis- and/or alternative conceptions were noted. Overall, the general picture that emerged was that the grade three learners’ understanding of a healthy environment was in line with the expectations of the school curriculum at the Foundation Phase level. On the second research question the learners appeared to experience difficulty with the notion of recycling. On pollution, there was sufficient evidence that the learners made the connections between the respective photographic materials used and water, land/soil, air, and noise pollution. In addition, most learners gave explanations concerning how these types of pollution affected living organisms which depended on the particular environment. Furthermore, the learners easily distinguished between safe and unsafe drinking water, and gave satisfactory explanations about the adverse effects of drinking polluted water. However, it should also be mentioned that a few misconceptions also emerged from some of their explanations. These included the notions that one could catch TB from drinking dirty water, and that drinking clean water resulted in someone having enough blood. From learner explanations, the concept of re-using was partially understood. Overall, however, it should be stated that the learners had a good idea of the selected environmental concepts as prescribed by the Foundation Phase curriculum. On the third research question, although some gains had been made by both groups, there was no statistically significant difference between the two posttest mean scores. However, using the pretest scores as baseline, the collateral learning group had performed statistically significantly beyond the pretest, suggesting that there was some merit in thinking that collateral learning could be a productive approach to use in South African schools. The posttest mean score of the cognitive conflict-based conceptual change group was not significantly different from the pre-test mean score. This result suggests that more research is still needed to give clarity to this matter. Within the constraints of the study, the researcher is satisfied that much was achieved, and that the results reported in this study will go a long way in serving as baseline data for future research. The thesis ends with some recommendations in respect of both classroom practice and further research
Effects of work-related stress on educators in the Mthatha district schools
No full textA mini dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Education in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters Of Education in the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education at the University Of Zululand, 2018This study attempts to establish the effects of work-related stress on educators in the Mthatha district schools, using the quantitative research approach and the simple random sampling method to select the study sample. Stress is found to be a common phenomenon within the education profession, particularly in the Mthatha district, premised on the theoretical framework of the job demand-control (JDC) theory, and its expanded version, the job demand-control support (JDCS) theory, as well as the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) model. The findings of this study show that the phases of education taught by educators in the Mthatha district schools have a significant statistic relationship with work-related stress. In addition, the findings of this study indicate a significant positive relationship between the location of schools and work-related stress in the Mthatha education district. Based on these findings, this study recommends that the Department of Basic Education (DBE) should put in place effective stress management policies in schools, and improve the general working conditions of educators, particularly in rural schools. Furthermore, this study strongly recommends the upward review of salaries, and other allowances earned by educators, in order to motivate them and mitigate the effects of work-related stress in the education profession
Glycemic control and pancreatic beta cells protective effect of a lanosteryl triterpene from Protorhus longifolia in hyperlipidemic and STZ-induced diabetic rats
Get PDFA dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science and Agriculture in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master Of Science in Biochemistry in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology at the University Of Zululand, 2018Prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), a chronic metabolic disorder of carbohydrates and lipids that is characterized by persistent hyperglycemia, is rapidly reaching epidemic levels. Hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and accelerated inflammatory response may trigger various signaling pathways which further aggravates insult to insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas, thereby worsening the diabetic state. Current treatment regimen for DM comprises self-care and anti-diabetic drugs such as biguanides (metformin), thiazolidinediones and sulfonylureas. Metformin is currently the most commonly used antidiabetic drug. However, due to the lack of compliance to self-care recommendations and some undesirable side effects of metformin, there is an increasing need for alternative therapy. Drugs that cannot only decrease postprandial hyperglycemia, but also maintain pancreatic beta cells integrity for optimal function, could be vital in the management of DM. This study investigated the glycemic control and pancreatic beta cell protective effect of a lanosteryl triterpene (RA-3) from Protorhus longifolia stem bark in hyperlipidemic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. RA-3 was isolated from the chloroform extract of P. longifolia using chromatographic techniques and its chemical structure was confirmed based on spectral data analysis. The glycemic control and pancreatic beta cells protective effect of RA-3 were evaluated in the high fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in rats. The rats were divided into two main groups; rats fed on normal diet and those fed on HFD for 28 days. The animals were then injected with STZ to induce diabetes and RA-3 (100 mg/kg) was orally administered to the diabetic rats daily for 28 days. At the end of the experimental period, animals were fasted overnight and oral glucose tolerance test was performed. The animals were then euthanized and blood, muscle, liver and pancreatic tissues were collected for analysis of biochemical parameters, protein expression and histopathology. The effect of RA-3 on the pancreatic beta cell structure and function in HFD and STZ-induced diabetes in animals has been reported in Chapter Three. A significant decrease in serum levels of C-peptide and antioxidants (catalase-CAT, superoxide dismutase-SOD), accompanied by reduced glutathione (GSH), were observed in the untreated diabetic controls. Increases in serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-6 (IL-v 6), fasting blood glucose and total cholesterol levels, as well as damaged beta cell structure, were also noted. However, all these parameters were significantly reversed in the diabetic groups treated with RA-3. Furthermore, the molecular mechanism through which the lanosteryl triterpene improves peripheral insulin signalling in skeletal muscle of STZ-induced diabetic animals was investigated. Treatment of the diabetic animals with the RA-3 showed marked reduction in fasting plasma glucose (67%), serum MDA and IL-6 levels, which were concomitant with the increased serum levels of antioxidants (SOD, CAT) and GSH, in comparison to the untreated diabetic group animals. An improved pancreatic beta cell structure along with increased serum C-peptide levels were also observed in the RA-3 treated diabetic animals. This was evidenced by the observed minimal histopathological changes when compared to the untreated diabetic groups in which major cell damage was evident. A decrease in IRS-1Ser307 expression along with increases in p-Akt, p-GSK-3β and GLUT 4 expression were observed in the RA-3 treated group vs untreated diabetic controls. Finally, the molecular basis of RA-3 in hyperlipidemic and STZ-induced type 2 diabetes in animals was studied. Diabetic animals treated with RA-3 effectively enhanced insulin signaling which was observed by a decrease in expression of IRS-1ser307 and higher expression levels of p-Akt, p-GSK-3β GLUT 2 and GLUT 4 in comparison to the diabetic control group. The findings obtained from the current study on RA-3 treatment were similar and highly comparable to those of the metformin treated groups. It is apparent that lanosteryl triterpene, RA-3, improved glycemic control and possesses pancreatic beta cells protective properties. It is concluded that the molecular mechanism by which RA-3 improves glycemic control is based on its enhancement of the insulin signaling pathway, leading to increased recruitment of glucose transporters and thus increased cellular glucose uptake.National Research Foundatio
An in vitro and in vivo hepatotoxicity study of an aspalathin- rich green rooibos extract
Get PDFA dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science and Agriculture in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master Of Science in Biochemistry in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology at the University Of Zululand, 2018Hepatotoxicity is an undesirable condition of the liver, often occurring due to the interaction of drugs. Although different methods have been employed in the diagnosis of drug-induced hepatotoxicity, none have accurately proven the hepatotoxic effect of drug-drug interactions or drug-herb interactions. Flavonoids of aspalathin-rich green Rooibos extract (GRT) present many therapeutic properties that reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. However, there is a gap in literature regarding the efficacy or safety of this particular extract on the liver. Furthermore, Rooibos has been implicated in the development of hepatotoxicity which might have been triggered by drug-Rooibos interaction. This study therefore purposes to establish whether consumption of an aspalathin-rich green Rooibos extract (GRT) has any toxic effects on the liver using both an in vitro human liver cell line (C3A) model, as well as a sub-chronic Sprague- Dawley rat model. Cultured C3A cells were treated with different concentrations of GRT ranging from untreated control, 0.1, 1, 10, 100 and 1000 μg/mL and incubated for 1 hour, 24 hours or 48 hours. Thereafter, cell viability was evaluated using the mitochondrial activity assay 3- [4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphnyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) assay. The impact of the GRT extract on enzyme release and membrane integrity was assessed using the adenylate kinase enzyme (AK). For the in vivo study, sub-chronic Sprague Dawley rats were used to investigate the toxicity of different concentrations of GRT extract. The rats were randomly divided into five groups with ten rats per group. Three of these groups were treated daily with different concentrations of GRT extract [10, 100 and 300 mg/kg body weight (bw)] for a period of 90 days, while the other groups were an untreated control and a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) treated group for induction of hepatotoxicity. Treatments were administered using cubes made of jelly and gelatin for the duration of the study. At 24 hours before termination, the positive control group was treated with 1 mL/kg CCl4 in 1:1 ratio dilution with olive oil to induce liver injury. The body weights, food and water intakes were measured weekly during the period of the treatment. At termination, blood samples were collected for clinical biochemical tests [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Urea, total protein, total bilirubin, albumin uric acid and creatinine] and liver tissue collected for histology and protein expression (NF-kB, Bax, Caspase 3 and CYP3A4). The in vitro results revealed that lower concentrations of GRT significantly sustained cell viability in C3A which was associated with the increase in cell proliferation after 1 hour, 24 hours and 48 hours incubation compared to the control. A hepatotoxicity effect was only observed when the cells were treated with higher concentration of GRT extract (1000 μg/mL). The results of the in vivo study showed that the GRT extract had no effect on the body weights, food intake and water intake. Increased levels of liver enzymes, AST at the highest dose (300 mg/kg) and ALT in the CCl4 treated group were demonstrated.
Total protein was unaffected by the GRT while the serum albumin was slightly increased. Histopathological changes showed diffuse marked hepatocellular damage caused by CCl4. There were no histopathological changes observed with 10 and 100 mg/kg while the 300 mg/kg displayed micro-and macrovesicular changes. There was a concentration-dependent inhibition of NF-KB and no significant effect was observed on the expression of caspase 3, Bax and CYP3A4. Taken together, these results suggest that lower concentrations of GRT extract have a hepatoprotective effect in vivo. Supporting these findings, in vitro results showed that low concentrations of GRT extract exhibited a hepatoprotective effect on the human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. However, there should be vigilance in the consumption of Rooibos tea as increased consumption may impair hepatocytes.
.South African Medical Research Council
HDI Research Strengthening Grant (CC X052-2510
Measurements of gamma-ray production cross sections of proton beam at energies of 66 to 125 MeV with calcium target
Get PDFA dissertation submitted to the Faculty Of Science and Agriculture in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master Of Science in the Department of Physics at the University Of Zululand, 2018Cosmic rays are highly energetic charged particles not produced on Earth. Primary
cosmic rays are composed mainly of protons, alpha particles and nuclei of many
heavier elements. Secondary cosmic rays including neutrons, pions, positrons, and
muons are created following the interaction of primary cosmic rays with atmo-
sphere. A lot of radioisotopes are formed by interactions with cosmic rays. Most
cosmogenic isotopes are formed in the atmosphere, while some are formed in-situ
in soil and rock exposed to cosmic rays. One of the most important isotopes pro-
duced by interaction of secondary cosmic rays with 40Ca is 41Ca. It is formed
by 40Ca(n; )41Ca nuclear reaction. Worthy to note that 40Ca is one of the most
abundant element in the Earth's crust. However, what would happen if instead
of a neutron a proton interacts with the calcium nucleus? This study investi-
gates the excitations of 40Ca following interactions with high-energy protons in
40Ca(p; p0)40Ca reaction. We use the information carried out by the -rays dur-
ing the de-excitation of the 40Ca nucleus to calculate the -ray production cross
sections, which relate to the probability of the 40Ca(p; p0)40Ca reaction to occur.
This helps to gain information about the processes that occur in the stars and in
the interstellar space, see section 1.3.2.Similar reactions take place when a high-energy protons interact with calcium in human tissues. High-energy protons can destroy cancer cells. Hence, during proton therapy, a proton beam of speci_c radiation dose is delivered to the tumor while sparing the nearby healthy tissues. Without continuous monitoring of the delivered proton beam, this can turn into a disaster. To fully enjoy the benefits of proton therapy we need to monitor the dose deposition. During the treatment,the proton beam delivered is absorbed by the patient. The only way to get the in-vivo dose verification measurements is by using secondary radiation. Using the information from the detection of secondary prompt -rays helps to determine the location of the deposited dose since the two are mutually related.The aim of this research is to evaluate the prompt -ray production cross sections, measured for strong -ray lines excited in the proton bombardment of a calcium target. The _first part of this study was to experimentally measure the -ray
production cross sections for proton-nucleus collisions in calcium. To achieve these
cross section measurements, thin natural calcium targets were bombarded with
a proton beam in the energy range of 66 MeV to 125 MeV delivered by the
Separated Sector Cyclotron (SSC) at iThemba LABS.Three standard -ray emitting sources, 137Cs, 60Co and 152Eu, were used for energy and e_ciency calibrations of the detectors. Geant4 code was run for modeling the efficiency of the AFRODITE detector system for E > 1:4 MeV . The emitted -rays were detected with the high-purity Ge detectors of the AFRODITE array in the angular range of 90_ to 168_. The total cross sections for the 754.8 keV and the 3736.5 keV peaks were determined by fitting the angular distribution data with Legendre polynomials. We extracted for the first time the total cross section excitation functions for the 40Ca(p; p0)40Ca reaction for two -rays in 40Ca at five different energies (66, 80, 95, 110 and 125 MeV ). The results from these measurements can be used in a range of applications in radiation therapy, geology and astrophysics.National Research Foundatio
Assessing the role of traditional leaders and ward councilors in promoting community development in Umlalazi municipality
Get PDFA dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Public Administration in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Zululand, 2018.The South Africa government and various interested parties have extensively debated the relevance and place of traditional leadership in our democracy. The core of the debate is the notion of incompatibility of this institution with democracy and human rights. The 1996 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa set the tone for the recognition of traditional leaders in a democratic dispensation. The study assessed the role of traditional leaders and ward councillors in promoting community development in uMlalazi Municipality. The aim was to identify the limitations in community development programmes and how much does traditional leaders observe government regulations in service delivery and the impact that it has created. Questionnaires were administered to a sample of 82 participants, but only 72 questionnaires were returned. The research participants were businesses, churches, ward committee members, ward councilors, traditional leaders, and community members. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used to analyse the data. The study revealed the challenges facing communities regarding development. It also became apparent that the South African Constitution does not clearly define the roles and responsibilities traditional leaders should play in society. Possible solutions were identified in a form of recommendations, that in the implementation of the Integrated Development Planning programmes they should consider Batho Pele principles
Effect of bidens pilosa L in sulfate removal from industrial wastewater in a hydroponic system
Get PDFThis dissertation is submitted in complete fulfilment for the Degree of Masters (Microbiology) in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Agriculture at the University of Zululand, 2018.Water contamination from human activities such as discarding sulfate-rich wastes into
natural water resources leads to the introduction of sulfate and other toxic substances like
heavy metals. This poses as a threat to human health and the environment since consumption
of sulfate concentration greater than 250 mg/l causes diarrhoea and dehydration.
Accumulation of sulfate in water also leads to the death of aquatic species and when sulfur is
produced from sulfate, it may react with oxygen in the atmosphere and form sulfur dioxide
which causes acid rain when reacted with nitrogenous gases. Acid rain is detrimental to the
environment. Ion exchange chromatography is currently used in sulfate removal but it is
expensive and energy consuming. This has necessitated the development of an
environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and simple wastewater technique for sulfate
removal using wetland technologies. In order to remove sulfate from wastewater, two
hydroponic systems were constructed, and the first one was cultivated with Bidens pilosa L
and the other one was left unplanted (control section). Wastewater collected from Tendele
Coal Mine was introduced into both sections and the initial sample was collected. After every
24 hours the samples were collected at different hydraulic retention time, for 2 weeks. In all
samples physicochemical parameters were determined using a pH meter. Sulfate
concentration was determined using sulfate test kits and a spectrophotometer. The qPCR was
used to identify the microorganisms responsible for the removal of sulfate in the system.
Sulfate removal in the planted section was higher than in the control section. It was 2.9%,4.9%
after 24 hours 6.5%, 11% after 48 hours, 12%, 17% after 72 hours, 16.3%, 25.4% after 96
hours, 18.2%, 34.8% after 120 hours, 26.9%, 44.6% after 144 hours, 34.7%, 55.1% after 168
hours, 42%, 63.7% after 192 hours, 47.5%, 71.5% after 216 hours, 53.2%, 73.3% after 240
x
hours, 54.7%, 74% after 264 hours and 56%, 76.3 % after 288 hours over 2 weeks in the control
and planted sections respectively. Sulfate concentration in the macrophytes was found to be
110 mg/l before treatment, and 353 mg/l after treatment. There was a significant difference
between sulfate removal in the planted and control section and also in macrophytes before
and after treatment, indicated by p=0.0001. This indicated that the hydroponic system was
able to remove sulfate from wastewater using the combination of the mechanisms of plant
uptake and microbial degradation. Sulfate removal was also indicated by final concentration
of sulfate, which was 169 mg/l in the planted section which was below the acceptable
amounts of sulfate in water (by World Health Organization) while it was 309 mg/l in the
control section. Temperature had a moderate negative correlation on sulfate removal (-0.38
≤ r ≤-0.42) while COD had a very strong negative correlation (-0.94 ≤ r ≤-0.97). The dissolved
oxygen indicated weak positive correlation (0.29≤ r ≤0.37), and pH indicated a strong positive
correlation (0.80 ≤ r ≤0.79) in the planted and control section respectively. These correlations
indicated that physical and chemical parameters were had an effect on sulfate removal.
Microbial population of sulfate-reducing bacteria (Desulfobacter, Desulfovibrio) was present
in both systems. Desulfococcus was present in the control section but absent in planted
section due to its sensitiveness to oxygen. These findings shown that the hydroponic system
had an ability to remove sulfate from industrial wastewater using macrophytes and sulfate
reducing bacteria but the removal was dependent on physicochemical parameters.National Research Foundatio
Extraction of cellulose from SCB and its applications in CNC/metal nanocomposites
Get PDFA thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree
Master of Science in Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Agriculture at the University of Zululand, 2018.The past few years have seen an increased interest in enforcing the principles of green chemistry in the scientific community. The aim of these principles is to reduce chemical related impacts on human health and virtually eliminate contamination of the environment through dedicated and sustainable prevention programs.
In the present study, of the many (12) green chemistry principles, we have put into implementation waste prevention, the use of safer solvents and/ or auxiliaries in syntheses, and the use of less hazardous chemicals in syntheses by undertaking a project that makes use of sugarcane bagasse, which is an agricultural waste material obtained when sugarcane is crushed to extract its juices during the production of sugar. From bagasse, cellulose was extracted through five different methods. Through acid hydrolysis, cellulose nanocrystals were synthesised from the extracted cellulose and in turn used as a template, reducing- and stabilizing agent in the synthesis of cellulose nanocrystal/metal (silver and gold) nanocomposites.
The fifth cellulose-extraction method yielded the most thermally stable and pure cellulose. This was shown by TGA and XRD analyses. As a result, the cellulose extracted through the fifth method was used to synthesize cellulose nanocrystals, which were then successfully used as a stabilizing and reducing agent in the formation of CNC/metal nanocomposites, as evident from FTIR, TGA, XRD, UV and TEM analyses.National Research Foundation; Department of Science and Technolog
Teaching of literacy competencies to learners in overcrowded classrooms in the Mamaila circuit, Mopani district.
Get PDFDissertation submitted to the Faculty of Education in accordance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in education in the Department of Foundations of Education, at the University of Zululand, 2018.The aim of the study was to investigate the teaching strategies being used by teachers teaching literacy competencies in overcrowded classrooms of Mamaila Circuit primary schools. The study followed a qualitative approach. The design was a case study. The literacy competences were in the home language Sepedi and first additional language English. The grades covered by the study were grade 4 and grade 6. At grade 4 the learners enter the Intermediate Phase after they finish the Foundation Phase at grade 3. At grade 6 the learners exit the Intermediate Phase. The sample comprising 12 teachers was drawn from three primary schools. In-depth interviews were conducted using an interview guide whose questions were formulated from the research questions. Data were analysed thematically. The least overcrowded classroom in the sample had 51 learners and the most overcrowded classroom had 139 learners out of a recommended 1:40 teacher to pupil ratio for primary schools. One of the findings was that the most common teaching strategy amongst others was that of grouping learners according to mixed abilities and appointing group leaders from amongst the learners adjudged to be more capable in terms of reading skills. There were learners with learning barriers who did not benefit from any of the strategies in place. These learners were disadvantaged as there were no education psychologists at school, circuit and district education offices to attend to their needs. These learners were kept in the conventional schools for lack of special schools that could cater for them. The study has recommended on teaching strategies that the grouping method must have rotational group leadership so that the initially most ‘capable’ learners do not feel entitled to leading other learners. The most common method for assessing the effectiveness of the mixed ability grouping strategy was to keep numbers of learners who at beginning of the each term had reading and writing challenges. The teachers claim that the numbers of poorly literate learners decreased from first to fourth term of the year. While the teachers found the grouping method effective the study warned the over-reliance by teachers on shedding off their responsibilities to group leaders could be interpreted as abusing the learners. The study made suggestions for further studies at the end of the report